Fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus ( 1100 ) for cleaning an endface ( 1104 ) of an optical fiber ( 1106 ), wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within an interface device ( 1103 ) is provided. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing ( 1114 ) having an interface portion ( 1124 ) adapted to be received by the interface device. The cleaning apparatus further includes a fluid dispensing assembly ( 1116 ) at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein at least a portion ( 1112 ) of the fluid dispensing assembly engages the endface when the interface portion is received by the interface device. The fluid dispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface when the interface portion of the housing is received by the interface device to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface. The cleaning apparatus may include a contact cleaning assembly ( 1304 ) and/or a microscope ( 1408 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a division of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/428,954,filed May 1, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/199,925, filed Jul. 18, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,025,issued Nov. 23, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference in its entirety, and priority from the filingdate of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. § 120.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fiber-optic cleaning systemsand, more specifically, to cleaning systems for cleaning fiber-opticendfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The proliferation of fiber-optic communications has led to itswidespread implementation and use in industry, especially in the fieldsof telecommunications and data communications. It is well known in theindustry that fiber-optic endfaces must be kept clean and undamagedwithin fiber-optic communication systems. A fiber-optic endface is thecross-sectional surface that is created when an optical fiber is cut fortermination. The fiber-optic endfaces are typically supported by aconnector that couples to a bulkhead adapter (also sometimes referred toas a backplane adapter or a mating adapter) having an alignment sleevefor receiving the fiber-optic endface.

Failure to keep an endface clean and undamaged results in signal lossbecause of scattering effects at the endface of the optical fiber. Asbandwidths increase, particularly with the rise of wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM) technology, the need for cleanliness at thefiber-optic endface is even more important. Further, since fiber-opticcommunication systems handle heavy bandwidth traffic, the cleanliness atthe fiber-optic endface is particularly important because the laserpower driving the fiber-optic communication signals is typically higher.When a high-powered laser strikes a small piece of debris on thefiber-optic endface, the debris bums, leaving a film of soot on thefiber-optic endface that degrades communication signals. As a result,the “dirty” fiber-optic endface at the interconnect point must be takenout of service and repaired.

While cleanliness of the fibers is of utmost importance, access to thefiber endface is often very limited. Most fiber-optic interconnects arearranged in a male-to-male configuration and utilize a female-to-femaleconfigured alignment sleeve for coupling. Thus, when the user-sideconnector is removed, one endface is readily accessible, while the otherresides at the bottom of a deep narrow hole. This makes cleaning verydifficult. Further, backplane fiber-optic interconnects are notoriouslydifficult to access for maintenance, cleaning, and repair. Whethermulti-fiber or single-fiber (simplex), these fiber-optic connectors aretypically located near the back of a narrow “card slot.” A typical slotis 1.5 inches wide and 12 inches deep, and rather difficult to accessfor service. Most current cleaning techniques require the user todisassemble the backplane to gain access to the connector for cleaning.

To overcome the access problem, some cleaning system manufacturers havedesigned cleaning systems that are insertable within the alignmentsleeve for cleaning the fiber-optic endfaces without necessitating theremoval of the connector from the bulkhead adapter. However, the methodsused by these systems are disadvantageous for several reasons. Forinstance, most of these methods utilize contact cleaning methods,wherein the endface is directly contacted by a non-fluid material, suchas a cotton swab or a physical structure coated with an adhesive.Because the fiber-optic endface is directly contacted by a non-fluidmaterial, these systems contain the inherent risk of addingcontamination to the fiber-optic endface as a portion of the non-fluidcontact material may remain on the fiber-optic endface. Further, thephysical contact may result in the introduction of defects upon thefiber-optic endface, such as scratches on the fiber-optic endfacethrough “dragging” of a contaminate particle across the endface. Thus,it is widely understood that contact cleaning methods are one cause ofendface scratching, which often results in signal degradation.

Other cleaning manufacturers have designed cleaning systems that involveinjecting a liquid within the bulkhead adapter for cleaning thefiber-optic endfaces without necessitating the removal of the connectorfrom the backplane. However, current methods of this nature are alsodisadvantageous for several reasons. For instance, a typical bulkheadadapter is not watertight, therefore significant quantities of theliquid, such as water, are leaked from the bulkhead adapter, therebypresenting a potential or a perceived potential for damage to theexpensive communication equipment located in proximity to the connector.Further, these systems do not provide an immediate evacuation system forthe rapid removal of the liquid injected within the bulkhead adapter,thus increasing the potential for damage to the surroundingcommunications equipment and increasing the potential for residuals ofthe fluid to remain on the endface, thus contaminating the endface.

Moreover, it has been found that during cleaning operations, cleaningsolvents may collect in a chamfer formed in the fiber-optic endface. Thechamfer is located around the periphery of the fiber-optic endface. Thechamfer acts as a protected cavity, which ultimately forms a reservoirthat retains solvent within the alignment sleeve. Thus, after thecleaning process is complete, the cleaning solvent and any contaminantscontained in the chamfer often flow back onto the fiber-optic endface,recontaminating the endface.

Further, existing assemblies do not incorporate an inspection microscopewithin the endface cleaning apparatus or a means to receive one. Thus,the cycle time to clean and inspect a fiber-optic endface is increasedsince the operator is forced to swap between the endface cleaningapparatus and an inspection microscope. Further still, the potential forthe introduction of contaminants or damage to the fiber endface due tothe repetitive coupling and decoupling of the endface cleaning apparatusand inspection microscope during the cleaning process is alsosubstantially increased. In other aspects, a manufacturer mustdesign/develop separate tooling to produce and inventory two separateunits, a endface cleaning apparatus and a microscope, resulting inincreased costs relative to a combined unit.

Further still, existing assemblies do not incorporate a contact cleaningassembly with a non-contact cleaning assembly, such that if thenon-contact cleaning process is not completely effective, theaggressiveness of the cleaning operation can be increased byincorporating contact cleaning methods into the cleaning process.

Therefore, a need exists for a endface cleaning apparatus that iseffective in cleaning fiber-optic endfaces while exhibiting a reducedpotential of contamination introduction and/or damage to the fiber-opticendface being cleaned and does not expose nearby components to roguefluids. Further, there exists a need for a endface cleaning apparatusthat is operable to receive or contains a microscope therewithin toreduce the cleaning process cycle time and risk of fiber-optic endfacecontamination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of a cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with thepresent invention is provided. The cleaning apparatus is operable foruse in cleaning an endface of an optical fiber, wherein a portion of theoptical fiber is contained within an interface device. The cleaningapparatus includes a housing and a fluid dispensing assembly at leastpartially disposed within the housing. The fluid dispensing assemblyincludes an interface portion adapted to be received by the interfacedevice and engage the endface. The fluid dispensing assembly is operableto deliver a fluid and a solvent upon the endface to aid in removal ofcontaminants on the endface.

A first alternate embodiment of a cleaning apparatus formed inaccordance with the present invention is provided. The cleaningapparatus is operable for use in cleaning an endface of an opticalfiber. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a first attachmentdevice coupled to the housing. The first attachment device is adapted topermit the selective coupling of a container of fluid to the housing.The cleaning apparatus also includes a second attachment device coupledto the housing, the second attachment device adapted to permit theselective coupling of a container of solvent to the housing. Thecleaning apparatus also includes a fluid dispensing assembly at leastpartially disposed within the housing and in fluid communication witheach of the containers, the fluid dispensing assembly operable todeliver the fluid and the solvent from each of the containers upon theendface to aid in the removal of contaminants on the endface.

A second alternate embodiment of a cleaning apparatus formed inaccordance with the present invention is provided. The cleaningapparatus is operable for use in cleaning an endface of an opticalfiber. The cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a fluid dispensingassembly coupled to the housing and operable to deliver a fluid and asolvent upon the endface to aid in the removal of contaminants on theendface. The cleaning apparatus further includes a contact cleaningassembly coupled to the housing, the contact cleaning assembly having anengagement member operable to engage the endface and dislodgecontaminants on the endface through physical contact.

A third alternate embodiment of a cleaning apparatus formed inaccordance with the present invention is provided. The cleaningapparatus is operable for use in cleaning an endface of an opticalfiber, wherein a portion of the optical fiber is contained within aninterface device. The cleaning apparatus includes a contact cleaningassembly, wherein the contact cleaning assembly includes an interfaceportion configured to be at least partially received within an interfacedevice. The contact cleaning assembly further includes an engagementmember coupled to the interface portion and adapted to engage theendface and remove contaminates on the endface through physical contact.The cleaning apparatus further includes a drive mechanism coupled to thecontact cleaning assembly, the drive mechanism adapted to move theengagement member upon the endface.

A fourth alternate embodiment of a cleaning apparatus formed inaccordance with the present invention is provided. The cleaningapparatus is operable for use in cleaning a first endface of a firstoptical fiber and a second endface of a second optical fiber, wherein aportion of each of the first and second optical fibers are containedwithin an interface device. The cleaning apparatus includes a housingand a fluid dispensing assembly at least partially disposed within thehousing. The fluid dispensing assembly includes a first interfaceportion and a second interface portion, the first and second interfaceportions adapted to be received by the interface device. The fluiddispensing assembly is operable to deliver a fluid and a solvent via thefirst and second interface portions upon the first and second endfacesto aid in the removal of contaminants on the first and second endfaces.

One embodiment of a method formed in accordance with the presentinvention for cleaning an endface of an optical fiber contained withinan interface device is provided. The method includes the step ofinserting an interface portion of a cleaning apparatus within theinterface device so as to position a nozzle in proximity to the endface.The method further includes the steps of intermixing a solvent with thefluid; and dislodging contaminates from the endface through contactingthe endface with an engagement member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of thisinvention will become better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus formed in accordance with the present invention,additionally showing a fiber-optic bulkhead adapter with two connectorscoupled thereto, of which the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus isoperable to interface with and clean the endfaces of the fiber-opticcables contained therein;

FIG. 2 is a planar fragmentary sectional view of the fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus, the bulkhead adapter and fiber-optic connectorsdepicted in FIG. 1, wherein the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatusis shown inserted within the bulkhead adapter;

FIG. 3 is a planar elevation view of an alternate embodiment of afiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with thepresent invention, shown interfacing with a fiber-optic connector,wherein a microscope is received within the fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of the head portion of the alternateembodiment of the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus depicted inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a planar elevation view of another alternate embodiment of afiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with thepresent invention, wherein the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatusfurther includes a microscope for inspecting fiber-optic endfaces;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of yet another alternateembodiment of a fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus formed inaccordance with the present invention, showing an interface sectionhaving one of two interchangeable interface tips selectively attachablethereto;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus depicted in FIG. 6, showing abaffle actuator section having a needle valve adjustment screwprotruding therefrom;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus depicted in FIG. 6 coupled to a fiber-opticbulkhead adapter, with a portion of the fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus and fiber-optic connector shown in cross-section, revealing abaffle depicted in a retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the alternate embodimentof FIG. 8, showing a magnified perspective of the baffle in a retractedposition;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of the fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus depicted in FIG. 6 coupled to a fiber-opticbulkhead adapter, with a portion of the fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus and fiber-optic connector shown in cross-section, revealing abaffle in an extended position;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the alternateembodiment of FIG. 10, showing a magnified perspective of the baffle inan extended position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the baffle depicted in FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with the presentinvention, the endface cleaning apparatus shown engaged with aninterface device. A portion of a housing of the endface cleaningapparatus has been removed to show a fluid dispensing assembly housedtherein, with a portion of the fluid dispensing assembly and analignment sleeve shown in cross-section;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a distal end of the fluid dispensingassembly shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of afiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with thepresent invention, the cross-sectional cut taken along a centerline ofthe endface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus formed in accordance with the presentinvention, the endface cleaning apparatus including a fluid dispensingassembly facing a first direction and a contact cleaning assembly facingin an opposite direction;

FIG. 17 is an elevation view of an engagement member of the contactcleaning assembly of FIG. 16 engaging a fiber-optic endface, thefiber-optic endface disposed within an alignment sleeve of an interfacedevice, a portion of the interface device removed to reveal the endface,alignment sleeve, and a portion of the contact cleaning assembly, allshown in cross-section;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the engagement member of the contactcleaning assembly shown in FIGS. 16 and 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of afiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus, the fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus including a contact cleaning assembly, a fluid dispensingassembly, an evacuation assembly, and a microscope, the endface cleaningapparatus shown in relation to an interface device;

FIG. 20 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a frontsection of a fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus formed in accordancewith the present invention and adapted to clean an interface having twoendfaces disposed therein, the front section adapted to be selectivelyinterchangeable with the front section of the endface cleaning assemblydepicted in FIG. 13. A portion of the front section has been removed toshow a fluid dispensing assembly housed therein, with a portion of thefluid dispensing assembly shown in cross-section; and

FIG. 21 is an elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a frontsection of a fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus formed in accordancewith the present invention and adapted to clean a ribbon connector, thefront section adapted to be selectively interchangeable with the frontsection of the endface cleaning assembly depicted in

FIG. 13. A portion of the front section has been removed to show a fluiddispensing assembly housed therein, with a portion of the fluiddispensing assembly and a ribbon ferrule shown in cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus forcleaning the endface of an optical fiber. While not limited to thefollowing application, the endface cleaning apparatus of the presentinvention is particularly suitable for cleaning an endface of an opticalfiber contained in an interface device, which is defined as anyassembly, device, or apparatus having an exposed fiber-optic endfacetherein or supported thereby. Examples of such an interface deviceinclude any one or more, or combination of, the following: an alignmentsleeve, bulkhead adapter, transceiver, transmitter, detector, orconnector. A bulkhead adapter is also sometimes referred to as a “matingadapter” or a “backplane adapter,” and their design and configurationsvary greatly. For illustrative purposes only, the embodiments of thepresent invention will be described either in relation to a fiber-opticconnector contained within a bulkhead adapter, or alternately, inrelation to a fiber-optic connector that has been removed from thebulkhead adapter. However, it should be apparent to one skilled in theart that the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus may be used in anysituation where an exposed fiber-optic endface is present.

In general, and as will be further described below, the fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus includes a system for applying a pressurizedfluid and a cleaning solvent upon a fiber-optic endface. In otherembodiments of the present invention, the fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus is operable to receive or includes a microscope forilluminating and viewing the endfaces of optical fibers. In still yetanother embodiment of the present invention, the fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus includes a retractable baffle for aiding in theremoval of fluids from the fiber-optic endface. In additionalembodiments, the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus includes acontact cleaning assembly, the contact cleaning assembly having anengagement member adapted to contact and dislodge contaminates from theendface through physical contact. In further embodiments, the endfacecleaning apparatus is adapted to removably couple to a container ofpressurized fluid and a container of solvent.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus 100 formed in accordance with the present invention.The fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100 is capable of interfacingwith a fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200, such as those typically used inwell known fiber-optics data transmission systems, to clean the endfacesof the optical fibers contained therein. The fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus 100 includes a housing 110, an evacuation system 104,a cleaning solvent delivery system 106, and a pressurized fluid deliverysystem 108.

Inasmuch as the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100 will bebetter understood in light of a description of the fiber-optic bulkheadadapter 200 that the endface cleaning apparatus 100 interfaces with, adetailed description of the fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200 willprecede a discussion of the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100.The illustrated fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200 is suitable for use inmost well-known fiber-optics data transmission systems. The fiber-opticbulkhead adapter 200 typically includes a first pair of female inputs204 and 206 located on a first end of the bulkhead adapter 200. Thefemale inputs 204 and 206 are aligned with a second pair of femaleinputs (not shown) facing in an opposite direction relative to the firstpair of female inputs 204 and 206 on a second end of the bulkheadadapter 200. The female inputs 204 and 206 are sized and configured toreceive fiber-optic connectors, such as those referenced by numerals 214and 216 therewithin. When fiber-optic connectors are received withinaligned, opposing female inputs, the optical fibers 217 (one shown)contained within the opposing fiber-optic connectors are received withinan alignment sleeve 219 housed within the bulkhead adapter 200. With theconnectors received as described, the endfaces of the opposingfiber-optic connectors face one another within the alignment sleeve 219to permit the passage of optical signals between the optical fibers, asis well known in the art.

In a typical application, the bulkhead adapter 200 is mounted through abulkhead (not shown) to allow the connection of the optical fibersthrough the bulkhead. Therefore, while the fiber-optic connectorsreceived within female inputs 204 and 206 may be easily accessed andremoved by a user, access to the fiber-optic connectors 214 and 216 istypically blocked by the bulkhead. For instance, the bulkhead adapter200 may allow passage of the optical fibers through the bulkhead of anamplification unit, wherein to “unplug” the fiber-optic connectors 214and 216 from the bulkhead adapter 200, one would need to disassemble theamplification unit to access the fiber-optic connectors 214 and 216, aprocess that is labor intensive and associated with a high potential forequipment damage.

Once the fiber-optic connectors 214 and 216 are inserted into thebulkhead adapter 200, the fiber-optic endfaces 202 associated with eachconnector are exposed to the other side of the bulkhead and are ready tointerface with another fiber-optic connector. In practice, once afiber-optic connector is removed from one of the female inputs 204 or206, the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100 of the presentinvention may be inserted into the empty female input 204 or 206. Thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100 may then be used for cleaningthe endfaces 202 of each fiber-optic strand 217 terminated within thefiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 and focusing on the structure of thebulkhead adapter, the fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200 has an alignmentsleeve 219 mounted inside each aligned, opposing pairs of female inputsto receive, retain, and align the optical fibers associated with thefiber-optic connectors received by the female inputs. The fiber-opticconnectors 214 and 216 include a ferrule 218 that houses the opticalfiber 217 therewithin. The ferrule 218 serves to protect the opticalfiber 217 and align the optical fiber 217 within the bulkhead adapter200 through engagement of the ferrule 218 with the alignment sleeve 219.

The endface 202 of a terminated optical fiber is cut and polished to ahigh degree of precision for purposes of optimizing signal propagation.Each fiber-optic endface 202 is either “flat” (i.e., orthogonal to theoptical axis of the fiber) or cut at an angle. Preferably, eachfiber-optic endface 202 is cut at an angle of 8° from vertical (plus orminus 0.1°) to reduce signal degradation caused by reflection.

Many bulkhead adapters 200 are duplex in design, such as shown in FIGS.1 and 2 allowing for a send and receive channel within a single housing.It should be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that simplexbulkhead adapters are also quite common and suitable for use inconjunction with the present invention, as well as multiplexes exceedingtwo.

The bulkhead adapter 200 may include a split housing 208, female inputs204 and 206 at each end for receiving fiber-optic connectors, such asthose referenced by numerals 214 and 216, therewithin. The split housing208 is generally an elongate hollow block structure formed by joining afirst housing half 210 to a second housing half 212 along a pair ofopposing mating flanges 220 and 222. Mounted within is the alignmentsleeve 219 into which the ferrule 218 , and optical fiber 217 areretained and aligned.

In light of the above discussion of the fiber-optic bulkhead adapter200, the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100 will now bediscussed. As stated above, the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus100 includes the housing 110, the evacuation system 104, the cleaningsolvent delivery system 106, and the pressurized fluid delivery system108. The housing 110 is comprised of an interface portion 116 coupled toor integrally formed with a tubing receiving portion 118. The interfaceportion 116 is a hollow elongate block structure having outer dimensionssubstantially similar to the inner dimensions of the female inputs 204and 206 of the fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200 to allow the insertionof the interface portion 116 therein. The interface portion 116 isconfigured to orient the components of the cleaning solvent deliverysystem 106 and the pressurized fluid delivery system 108 containedwithin the interface portion 116 so that any fluid discharged therefromwill properly impinge the fiber-optic endfaces 202, as will be discussedin further detail below.

Joined to the interface portion 116 is the tubing receiving portion 118.The evacuation passageway 120, cleaning solvent tubing 122, andpressurized fluid tubing 124 pass through the tubing receiving portion118. The tubing receiving portion 118 is a triangular block structure,preferably solid in construction with exception of the tubing passingtherethrough.

The evacuation system 104 is comprised of the evacuation passageway 120coupled to a vacuum pump (not shown) by well known flexible tubing (notshown.) The vacuum pump may be any well known pump that has sufficientcapacity to maintain a negative pressure within the alignment sleeve 219during cleaning, despite the injection of a pressurized fluid therein.One such vacuum pump suitable for use with the present invention is asingle stage venturi pump, Model No. AVR046H, manufactured by Air-Vac,located in Seymour, Conn. The pump is capable of producing vacuum flowrates up to 118 ml/sec. Preferably, a low level of vacuum is applied tomitigate the entrance of contaminants exterior of the connector throughinfiltrating cracks or other openings in the connector.

The evacuation passageway 120 passes through the tubing receivingportion 118 of the housing 110 at an angle relative to the horizontallyoriented interface portion 116 of the housing 110. As the evacuationpassageway 120 passes through the interface portion 116 of the housing110, the evacuation passageway 120 is defined by the inner walls of theinterface portion 116 of the housing 110. In the embodiment illustrated,the inner diameter of the evacuation passageway 120 within the interfaceportion 116 is equal to the outer dimensions of a protective housing 226that encompasses the alignment sleeve 219 and related fiber-opticendfaces 202, although any diameter that allows adequate volume flow isacceptable. Although an evacuation system is depicted and described, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art, the evacuation system104 is optional, and the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100 maybe effectively used without an evacuation system.

The pressurized fluid delivery system 108 is comprised of a fluidpressurization unit (not shown), the pressurized fluid tubing 124, and apressurized fluid nozzle 130. The fluid pressurization unit delivers apressurized fluid via flexible tubing (not shown) to the pressurizedfluid tubing 124 for discharge from the pressurized fluid nozzle 130.The fluid pressurization unit may be any well known pump or other sourcethat has a sufficient capacity to maintain sufficient flow undersufficient pressure during cleaning. In the illustrated embodiment, apressurized fluid is delivered within a range of 15 psi to substantiallygreater values, with a preferred value of 100 psi, for three seconds ata flow rate of 112 ml/sec.

In one embodiment, the pressurized fluid is a pressurized gas providedby selectively releasing pressurized nitrogen from well knowncommercially available pressurized nitrogen bottles. In anotherembodiment, the fluid is a pressurized gas such as dry filtered airprovided by a well known compressor or pump. In still anotherembodiment, the pressurized fluid is CO₂. In yet another embodiment, thepressurized fluid is deionized air. Although in the illustratedembodiment, the pressurized fluid is described as either nitrogen, air,deionized air, or CO₂, it should be apparent to one skilled in the artthat other fluids are suitable for use with the present invention, suchas liquids and fluids with entrained solid particles. Further, it shouldbe understood that within the meaning of this detailed description, theterm “pressurized gas” includes gaseous compounds that may have smallamounts of liquids contained therein, such as air having a humidityother than zero. Further still, although a specific pressure, durationand flow rate suitable for use with the present invention have beendescribed for illustrative purposes, it should be apparent to oneskilled in the art that these quantities are descriptive in nature.Therefore, other quantities are suitable for use with the presentinvention and within the scope of the invention. Preferably, thepressurized fluid is filtered to remove any unwanted contaminates.

The pressurized fluid tubing 124 terminates in a pressurized fluidnozzle 130. The pressurized fluid nozzle 130 is made from any suitablerigid material, such as stainless steel hypodermic needle tubing. In theillustrated embodiment, the nozzle is comprised of extra thin wall,26-gauge hypodermic needle tubing having an outside diameter of 0.018inches and an inside diameter of 0.014 inches. The pressurized fluidnozzle 130 includes a pressurized fluid discharge port or nozzle tip 112at the distal end of the pressurized fluid nozzle 130.

In the illustrated embodiment the pressurized fluid is preferablyfiltered through a well known filter arrangement, one such suitablefilter arrangement being a reusable syringe filter housing utilizing afine porosity, medium-fast flow rate, 1.0 μm size particle retention, 13mm glass fiber membrane, Model No. 66073, manufactured by Pall GelmanLaboratory, located in Ann Arbor, Mich.

The cleaning solvent delivery system 106 is comprised of cleaningsolvent tubing 122 coupled to a cleaning solvent storage source (notshown). The cleaning solvent tubing 122 is coupled in fluidcommunication with a solvent storage source or delivery system (notshown) via flexible tubing (not shown). The cleaning solvent tubing 122terminates in a nozzle 126 having a discharge port or nozzle tip 114 atthe distal end of the nozzle 126 for delivery of the pressurized gas andcleaning solvent upon the fiber-optic endface 202. The cleaning solventtubing 122 passes in line with the centerline of interface portion 118through both the tubing receiving portion 118 and the interface portion116 of the housing 110.

The cleaning solvent tubing 122 may be made from any suitable rigidmaterial, such as stainless steel hypodermic needle tubing. In theillustrated embodiment, the nozzle is comprised of extra thin wall,20-gauge hypodermic needle tubing having an inside diameter of 0.028inches. The inside diameter is selected to allow the pressurized fluidtubing 124 to pass therethrough and sufficiently oversized to result inthe formation of an annulus 117 between the outer surface of thepressurized fluid tubing 124 and the inner surface of the cleaningsolvent tubing 122. A venturi effect caused by the passage ofpressurized fluid through the pressurized fluid nozzle 130 drawscleaning solvent from the cleaning solvent storage source (not shown),through flexible tubing connecting the cleaning solvent storage sourceto the cleaning solvent tubing 122, and through the annulus 117 foreventual discharge from the nozzle tip 114. Further, although in theillustrated embodiment the pressurized fluid tubing 124 is depictedrunning concentrically within the cleaning solvent tubing 122, it shouldbe apparent to one skilled in the art that other configurations aresuitable for use with the present invention. For instance, the cleaningsolvent tubing 122 may run within the pressurized fluid tubing 124.Alternately, the cleaning solvent tubing 122 and the pressurized fluidtubing 124 may be separate and distinct units directed at the endfaceand/or directed to discharge into the flow path of the other, as shouldbe apparent to one skilled in the art.

It should also be apparent to one skilled in the art that any suitablecleaning solvent able to effectively remove contaminants contained onthe endface of the fiber-optic strand is suitable for use in the presentinvention. The cleaning solvent may be a gas, liquid, solid or acombination thereof. Preferably, the cleaning solvent, if a liquid, hasa flashpoint above 50 degrees Celsius. The cleaning solvent may beheated to increase the efficiency of the cleaning solvent. One suitablecleaning solvent is a hydrocarbon and terpene blend solvent,manufactured by American Polywater Corporation, located in Stillwater,Minn., sold under the trademark HP™, product number HPV-16LF. Thehydrocarbon and terpene blend is comprised of a medium aliphaticpetroleum solvent and a monocyclic terpene. In another embodiment, thecleaning solvent is a cyanide gas, capable of dissolving some plastics.In yet another embodiment, the cleaning solvent is a liquid with softsuspended solids therein. In still yet another embodiment, the cleaningsolvent is a mixture of a fluorinated ether, a chlorinated alkalene, andan alcohol. More specifically, the cleaning solvent is a mixturecomprising Methyl Nonafluorobutyl Ether, Ethyl Nonafluorobutyly Ether,Trans-1,2-dichloreoethylene, and Isopropanol, one suitable example beingmanufactured by 3M™ located in St. Paul, Minn., and other locationsworldwide, and sold under the name NOVEC FLUID HFE-72DA.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning solvent is delivered bymeans of a venturi effect caused by the passing of the pressurized fluidthrough the pressurized fluid nozzle 130. In another embodiment, thecleaning solvent is delivered by a pump. One such suitable pump is asolenoid operated diaphragm pump, manufactured by Clark, located inHudson, Mass., Model No. DMS 035. The pump is capable of providing afluid at 5 psi at a flow rate of 160 ml/min. Although a specific pumphas been described that is suitable for use with the present invention,it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that any such suitablepump may be used with the present invention without departing from thescope of the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, approximately 25 microliters of cleaningsolvent are delivered per three second cleaning blast. Nonetheless, itshould be apparent to one skilled in the art that other quantities anddurations are suitable for use with the present invention, and aretherefore within the scope of the invention. In the present embodimentthe cleaning solvent discharge port or nozzle tip 114 is preferablylocated approximately 0.02 inches to approximately 0.20 inches from theendface. However, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art thatother distances are appropriate for use with the present invention. Itshould also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the spacing ofthe nozzle tip 114 from the endface affects the back pressure and theeffectiveness of the cleaning ability of the present invention. Morespecifically, if the nozzle tip 114 is placed too close to the endface,back pressures escalate, decreasing the effectiveness of the cleaningoperation. On the other hand, if the nozzle tip 114 is displaced too farfrom the endface, the energy of the jet is dissipated prior to impactingthe endface 202, thereby significantly reducing the cleaningeffectiveness of the apparatus. In the illustrated embodiment, a spacingof 0.05 inches is preferred.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning solvent is also preferablyfiltered through a well known filter arrangement, one such suitablefilter arrangement being a reusable syringe filter housing utilizing afine porosity, medium-fast flow rate, 1.0 μm size particle retention, 13mm glass fiber membrane, Model No. 66073, manufactured by Pall GelmanLaboratory, located in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in light of the above description ofthe fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100, the operation of oneembodiment of the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 100 during atypical cleaning cycle will now be described. First, a fiber-opticconnector is removed from the female input 204 and the interface portion116 of the endface cleaning apparatus 100 is inserted therewithin. Thecleaning process is then initiated by pressing a button or similaractuator (not shown). Dry, filtered air at 100 psi is applied at a rateof 112 ml/sec in 3-second bursts through the pressurized fluid tubing124. About 0.01 ml to about 0.05 ml, with a preferred value ofapproximately 0.025 ml, of a cleaning solvent comprised of a liquidhydrocarbon and terpene solvent mixture, is drawn through the cleaningsolvent delivery tubing 122 in approximately the first 100 millisecondsby a venturi effect created by the flow of filtered air through thepressurized fluid nozzle 130.

The pressurized air mixes with the cleaning solvent, thereby creating anaerosol mist of cleaning solvent entrained in a high-speed gas jet. Theaerosol mist of cleaning solvent and pressurized gas is dischargedthrough the discharge port 114 of the cleaning solvent nozzle 126. Thedischarge port 114 is located approximately 0.02 inches to approximately0.20 inches from the endface with the preferred distance being 0.05inches. The aerosol mist of cleaning solvent and pressurized gasimpinges the endface 202, removing any contaminants located thereupon.Vacuum is applied throughout the entire procedure and for a periodthereafter through the evacuation passageway 120 at a rate ofapproximately 118 ml/sec, thus removing any spent pressurized gas andcleaning solvent, odors, providing general housekeeping, and maintainingthe inner portions of the connector 200 slightly below atmosphericpressure. A drying phase, comprising the application of pressurized gasand evacuation vacuum upon the endface, may be initiated following thecleaning evolution to aid in the removal of any residual cleaningsolvent that remains within the alignment sleeve 219. Although specificquantities, such as pressures, flow rates, durations, and fluids aredisclosed above, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art thatother quantities and fluids are suitable for use with the presentinvention, and are therefore within the scope of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 300 formed in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 300 is capable of interfacing with a fiber-optic connector400, such as the fiber-optic connectors 214 and 216 shown in FIGS. 1 and2, to clean the endfaces of the optical fiber(s) contained therewithin.The fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 300 of this embodiment issimilar to the embodiment described above and depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2,with the exception that the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 300is designed to provide a pathway 330 through which an optical imagingaxis of a microscope 500 may extend for viewing the endface 402 of theconnector ferrule 418 contained within the fiber-optic connector 400,and also with the exception that the cleaning is performed once theconnector 400 is removed from the bulkhead adapter. Since the opticalfeatures of the microscope 500 and the general knowledge of the opticalnature of the microscope 500 are well known, these aspects of themicroscope 500 will not be further discussed herein.

The fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 300 includes an evacuationsystem 304, a cleaning solvent delivery system 306, and a pressurizedfluid delivery system 308, all of which are substantially similar tothose described for the above embodiment. Although an active evacuationsystem 304 is depicted in this embodiment substantially similar to thesystem described for the above embodiment, it should be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the method of removing debris in thisconfiguration may be done in either an active (vacuum) or passive (vent)manner. Specifically, it should be apparent to one skilled in the artthat the evacuation system 304 may alternately accomplish the removal ofdebris through simply passively venting any fluids discharged upon theendface through a suitably designed evacuation system, as opposed toactively applying a vacuum in proximity to the endface as was disclosedfor the previous embodiments.

The housing 310 of the endface cleaning apparatus 300 is formed byjoining or integrally forming a hollow cone-shaped section 332 to anaxially aligned hollow cylindrically shaped section 334. The cone shapedsection 332 includes an interface portion 316. The interface portion 316is a hollow elongate block structure having inner dimensionssubstantially similar to the outer dimensions of the ferrule 418 of thefiber-optic connector 400 to allow the insertion of the ferrule 418therein. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that a similarconfiguration wherein the interface portion 316 is designed to interfacewith inner dimensions of a female input of a bulkhead adapter is a clearextension of this embodiment. The interface portion 316 is configured toorient the components of the cleaning solvent delivery system 306 andthe pressurized fluid delivery system 308 contained within thecone-shaped section 332 so that any fluid discharged therefrom willproperly impinge the fiber-optic endface 402, as will be discussed infurther detail below. The cone-shaped section 332 allows the placementof the components of the cleaning solvent delivery system 306,pressurized fluid delivery system 308, and evacuation system 304 out ofthe optical pathway 330 of the microscope 500.

Joined to the cone-shaped section 332 is the cylindrically shapedsection 334. The evacuation passageway 320, cleaning solvent tubing 322,and pressurized fluid tubing 324 pass through the cylindrically shapedsection 334. The cylindrically shaped section 334 further includes areceiving aperture 336 for receiving a head portion 502 of themicroscope 500 therewithin. When the head portion 502 of the microscope500 engages the receiving aperture 336 during insertion within thehousing 310, the receiving aperture 336 serves to align the opticalimaging axis of the microscope 500 through the optical pathway 330 thatpasses through the housing 310 and upon the endface 402 of thefiber-optic strand, allowing the user to view the fiber-optic endface402. In this embodiment, the microscope 500 is inserted after thecompletion of a cleaning cycle to inspect and view the endfaces 402 ofthe optical fiber to verify the effectiveness of the cleaning cycle.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the microscope 500 is a separateunit operable to removably engage the endface cleaning apparatus 300, itshould be apparent to one skilled in the art that the microscope 500 maybe integrally formed or otherwise permanently affixed to the endfacecleaning apparatus 300 without departing from the scope of theinvention. Within this alternate embodiment, the user would be able toview the endface during the cleaning cycle or shortly thereafter withoutremoval of the endface cleaning apparatus 300 from the fiber-opticconnector 400.

The operation of the alternate embodiment of the endface cleaningapparatus 300 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 is substantially similar inoperation to the endface cleaning apparatus embodiment described aboveand depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 with exception of the use of themicroscope 500 and the orientation of the evacuation system 304, thecleaning solvent delivery system 306 and the pressurized fluid deliverysystem 308. Inasmuch as the operation is substantially similar to thatdescribed above, it will not be further discussed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a second alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 600 formed in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 600 is capable of interfacing with an interface device, suchas those typically used in fiber-optic data transmission equipment anddepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, to clean the endfaces of the optical fiberscontained therewithin. The fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 600 ofthis invention is similar to the embodiment described above and depictedin FIGS. 1 and 2, with the exception that the fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus 600 further includes a microscope 700 integrallyformed with the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 600 to allow theoptical imaging of the fiber-optic endfaces of the fiber-optic strandscontained within a connector. Since the optical features of a microscope700 and the general knowledge of the optical nature of a microscope arewell known, these aspects of the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus600 will not be further discussed herein.

The microscope 700 is located on a first end of a housing 610 of thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 600, opposite a cleaningapparatus interface portion 634 located on a second end. The cleaningapparatus interface portion 634 includes an evacuation system, acleaning solvent delivery system, and a pressurized fluid deliverysystem, all of which are substantially similar to those described forthe above two embodiments and therefore will not discuss further herein.

In operation, a user selectively inserts either the first or second endwithin an interface device depending on whether cleaning or inspectingoperations are desired. For example, if the user desires to clean afiber-optic endface contained within the bulkhead adapter, the cleaningapparatus interface portion 634 is inserted within the bulkhead adapter,and an actuator button 636 is depressed to initiate cleaning operations.Upon completion of the cleaning operations, the user would subsequentlyremove the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 600 and rotate theendface cleaning apparatus 600 end-to-end, followed by the insertion ofan interface portion 702 of the microscope 700 within the bulkheadadapter. The interface portion 702 is designed to interface with abulkhead adapter such that the optical lens of the microscope may focusupon the fiber-optic endfaces contained within the fiber-optic bulkheadadapter.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-12, an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 800 formed in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 800 is capable of interfacing with an interface device, suchas a fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 900, to clean the endfaces of theoptical fibers contained therewithin. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 800 of this embodiment is similar in operation and structureto the embodiment described above and depicted in FIGS. 1-2, with theexception that the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800 furtherincludes a retractable baffle 802.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the baffle 802 aids in the removal ofcleaning solvent remaining within an alignment sleeve 822 during acleaning evolution. Moreover, the fiber-optic endface 902 has a chamfer904 located around the periphery of the fiber-optic endface 902. It hasbeen found that during cleaning operations, cleaning solvent and/orother fluids may collect in the chamfer 904. The chamfer 904 acts as aprotected cavity, partially shielding the cleaning solvent containedtherewithin from the pressurized fluid and/or applied vacuum. Thus,while the pressurized fluid is flowing, the fiber-optic endface 902remains in a clean and dry state. However, when the flow of thepressurized fluid ceases, the cleaning solvent present in the chamfer904 and any contaminants contained therein flow back onto thefiber-optic endface 902, recontaminating the endface. The retractablebaffle 802 of the illustrated embodiment aids in the removal of cleaningsolvent from the chamfer by concentrating the flow of the pressurizedfluid into the chamfer 904. Thus, when the baffle 802 is in an extendedposition as shown in FIG. 11, the pressurized fluid more directlyimpinges the cleaning solvents contained in the chamfer 904, therebyenhancing cleaning solvent removal.

Focusing now more on the outer structure of the fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus 800, and in reference to FIGS. 6-8, the externalcomponents comprising the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800will be described. The fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800includes a housing 810 subdivided into three distinct sections: aninterface section 844, a middle section 846, and a baffle actuatorsection 848. The interface section 844 and the baffle actuator section848 are joined to the middle section 846 by well known fasteners 840 and842. Coupled to the interface section 844 is an interface tip 816. Theinterface tip 816 is a hollow, sometimes cylindrical-shaped structurehaving outer dimensions substantially similar to the inner dimensions ofan entry female input 906 of a fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 900 (seeFIG. 9) to allow the insertion of the interface tip 816 therein.

The interface tip 816 is configured to orient the components of thecleaning solvent delivery system and the pressurized fluid deliverysystem contained within the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800so that any fluid discharged therefrom will properly impinge thefiber-optic endfaces, as will be discussed in further detail below.Further, the interface tip 816 or some portion of the interface portion844 is preferably configured to allow the interface tip 816 or at leasta portion of the interface portion 844 to be removed from the endfacecleaning apparatus 800. Configured as such, the interface tip 816 orsome portion of the interface portion 844 may be easily removed andexchanged for a different style of interface tip 816 or interfaceportion 844 to accommodate a wide variety of interface devices.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, interface tip 816 may beselectively removed from an interface tip receiving port 815 in theinterface portion 844 and replaced with an alternately shaped interfacetip 817, thereby allowing the endface cleaning apparatus 800 tointerface with a fiber-optic endface associated with a different shapedinterface device. Thus, fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800 maybe selectively configured to be compatible with nearly any interfacedevice. As should be apparent to one skilled in the art, although aninterchangeable interface tip 816 or interface portion 844 is describedwith specificity in regard to the above described embodiment only, itshould be apparent to one skilled in the art that any of the embodimentsdescribed within this detailed description may incorporate this concepttherein.

Disposed on the middle section 846 is an actuator button 834 and anaccess port 838. By pressing the actuator button 834, a user initiatesthe cleaning process. The access port 838, an oblong aperture in thehousing 810, permits access to a set screw 862 disposed within thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800, the purpose of which will bedescribed in further detail below. Further, the access port 838 allowsthe position of a baffle 802 to be visually confirmed. Further still,the access port 838 allows the manual activation of the baffle betweenan extended position and a retracted position.

The baffle actuator section 848, as the name implies, houses a baffleactuator 870 for selectively positioning a baffle between extended andretracted positions, as will be described in further detail below. Aneedle valve adjustment screw 836 for fine tuning the operation of thebaffle actuator 870 is disposed on the outer surface of the baffleactuator section 848. Also disposed on the outer surface of the baffleactuator section 848 is an access port 850. The access port 850 allowsthe passage of an electrical wiring umbilical cord (not shown forclarity) for delivery of electrical control signals and power to selectinternal components of the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800,such as the baffle actuator 870. Further, the access port 850 allows thepassage of a section of pressurized fluid delivery tubing and a sectionof cleaning solvent delivery tubing (not shown for clarity),substantially similar in operation and structure as the solvent tubing122 and the pressurized fluid tubing 124 shown in FIG. 1, into thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800.

Focusing now more on the internal structure of the fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus 800, and in reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the internalcomponents comprising the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800will be described. The middle section 846 is comprised of a bafflereturn spring chamber 854 and a solvent delivery valve chamber 860. Thebaffle return spring chamber 854 is cylindrical in shape and runslongitudinally through the fiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 800.The baffle return spring chamber 854 houses a baffle return spring 852.The baffle return spring 852 biases the baffle 802 in a retractedposition, as shown in FIG. 8. The baffle return spring 852 biases thebaffle 802 by exerting a spring force upon a rod clamp 864. The rodclamp 864 is reciprocatingly disposed within the baffle return springchamber 854 and has a spring seat 866 that engages a distal end of thebaffle return spring 852 and an actuator seat 868 that communicates witha baffle actuator 870. The rod clamp 864 is coupled to an actuating rod872 through the use of a well known set screw 862.

Located adjacent to and in a parallel orientation with the baffle returnspring chamber 854 is a solvent delivery valve chamber 860. The solventdelivery valve chamber 860 houses a solvent delivery valve return spring858 and a solvent delivery valve 856. The solvent delivery valve returnspring 858 biases the solvent delivery valve 856 in a closed positionuntil actuated by fluid pressure from solvent port 898 into an openposition, thereby allowing delivery of a cleaning solvent to thefiber-optic endface 902. Thus, the solvent delivery valve acts as acheck valve. As should be apparent to one skilled in the art, the valveconfiguration herein described may be replaced by any number ofactuator/valve combinations well known in the art, such aselectromechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical actuators.

Focusing now on the baffle actuator section 848, the baffle actuatorsection 848 includes an actuator chamber 876. The actuator chamber 876runs longitudinally through the baffle actuator section 848 and is sizedto house the baffle actuator 870. As should be apparent to one skilledin the art, the baffle actuator 870 may be selected from any number ofwell known actuators in the art such as electromechanical, pneumatic,hydraulic, or mechanical actuators. The baffle actuator 870 may beselectively toggled between an extended position, as shown in FIG. 10,and a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 8. An O-ring 878 is disposedat the distal end of the actuator chamber 876 at the interface betweenthe middle section 846 and the baffle actuator section 848. The O-ring878 provides a pressure resistant seal to isolate the air volume withinthe actuator chamber 876. Also disposed on the baffle actuator section848 is the needle valve adjustment screw 836. The needle valveadjustment screw 836 is manipulated during manufacture to selectivelyadjust the operating parameters of the baffle actuator 870, such as theactuation rate of the baffle 802.

Focusing now on the interface section 844, the interface section 844 iscomprised of a fiber-optic endface receiving chamber 880 sized toreceive a protective housing 926 that partially encompasses thefiber-optic endface 902 and alignment sleeve 822. Disposed in an annularchannel formed on the inner wall of the fiber-optic endface receivingchamber 880 is a well known O-ring 884. The O-ring 884 acts as a sealbetween the protective housing 926 of the alignment sleeve 822 and thefiber-optic endface receiving chamber 880, thereby impeding the passageof fluids between the protective housing 926 and the inner surface ofthe fiber-optic endface receiving chamber 880. It should be apparent toone skilled in the art that this seal may alternately be formed by anynumber of methods well known in the art, or alternately, may be omittedif ambient contamination is not a consideration.

Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9, and 12, disposed within the fiber-opticendface receiving chamber 880 is the baffle 802. The baffle 802 iscomprised of a base portion 886 integrally formed to a concentricallyoriented hollow cylinder 888. The base portion 886 is formed from fourlegs 812 disposed radially outward from the cylinder 888 so that eachleg 812 is spaced 90° from the closest adjacent legs 812. Thus, reliefgaps 814 are formed between adjacent legs 812 for permitting the passageof evacuation gases thereby. The base portion 886 of the baffle 902 isadapted to receive an actuating rod 872 therein. Upon actuation of theactuating rod 872 by the baffle actuator 870, the baffle 802 isreciprocally driven within the fiber-optic endface receiving chamber 880through the pressure exerted by the actuating rod 872 upon the baffle802 via the base portion 886.

The cylinder 888 has a flared distal end 890, having guiding members,such as five longitudinally aligned guiding ribs 892 equally spacedaround the flared distal end 890. The guiding ribs 892 aid in thealignment of the baffle 802 within the alignment sleeve 822, whichpartially encloses the endface 902, while still allowing the flow offluids for removal from the connector 900 between adjacent guiding ribs892. Although the illustrated embodiment is shown with five guiding ribs892, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that otherquantities of guiding ribs 892 are suitable for use with the presentinvention, such as three, four, or six for example.

Passing through a hollow cylindrical passage 826 in the baffle 802 is apressurized fluid nozzle 896 and a cleaning solvent nozzle 894. Thepressurized fluid nozzle 896 and the cleaning solvent nozzle 894 aresubstantially similar in construction and operation as that of thepressurized fluid nozzle 130 and cleaning solvent nozzle 126 depicted inthe FIG. 2, and therefore will not be discussed in further detail here.

In fluid communication with the cleaning solvent nozzle 894 is acleaning solvent passageway 899. The cleaning solvent passageway 899 isin fluid communication with the solvent delivery valve 856, a solventport vent 832, and also with solvent delivery tubing, not shown butsimilar to the solvent delivery tubing 122 shown in FIG. 1. The solventport vent 832 is open to the atmosphere to allow atmospheric air intothe endface cleaning apparatus 800 during solvent flow. Moreover, thesolvent port vent 832 aids in solvent flow by impeding vapor lockformation by the introduction of near atmospheric pressure air into thesolvent flow. Air entering the solvent port vent 832 during solvent flowis filtered via a filter 830. In the illustrated embodiment, the filter830 is a 1 micron rated glass fiber filter, although it should beapparent to one skilled in the art that other filters are suitable foruse in the present invention, and further, that the filter may beeliminated if ambient contamination is not a consideration.

The solvent delivery valve 856 is situated in the cleaning solventpassageway 899, between the solvent port vent 832 and the cleaningsolvent nozzle 894. The solvent delivery valve 856 selectively controlsthe passage of a solvent to the cleaning solvent nozzle 894. Moreover,the solvent delivery valve 856 is actuated between a flow and no flowcondition by fluid pressure applied to solvent port 898 during cleaning.

The operation of the alternate embodiment of the endface cleaningapparatus 800 depicted in FIGS. 6-11 is substantially similar inoperation to the endface cleaning apparatus embodiment described aboveand depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 with exception of the use of the baffle802. Inasmuch as the operation is substantially similar to thatdescribed above, the aspects of operation substantially similar to thatdescribed above will not be further discussed herein. As for the baffle802, the baffle is actuatable between the retracted position shown inFIG. 8 and extended position shown in FIG. 9. By selectively positioningthe baffle 802 as such, the amount of residual cleaning solventremaining in the connector 900 after a cleaning evolution issubstantially reduced.

More specifically and as best seen in FIG. 11, the fiber-optic endface902 has a chamfer 904 located around the periphery of the fiber-opticendface 902 as discussed above. The retractable baffle 802 of theillustrated embodiment aids in concentrating the flow of the pressurizedfluid into the chamfer 904. Thus, with the baffle in the extendedposition, the pressurized fluid is directed in a flow path 824 whichmore directly impinges the cleaning solvents contained in the chamfer904, thereby enhancing cleaning solvent removal during a drying/solventremoval phase of the cleaning evolution, when the pressurized fluid,absent cleaning solvent, is directed at the endface 902.

Inasmuch as the baffle 802 may impede the flow of cleaning solvent andpressurized fluid during cleaning operations, the baffle 802 may beselectively retracted during the application of the cleaning solvent andpressurized fluid so as to allow the unfettered flow of these fluidsduring cleaning as shown in FIG. 9. Although a retractable baffle isshown, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the bafflemay be rigidly held in an extended position. Further still, although theillustrated embodiment depicts a baffle of a certain shape andconstruction, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that thebaffle may take many various forms. For instance, the baffle may beformed by flaring the end of the cleaning solvent nozzle 894 outwards.Therefore it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that thebaffle is defined by its ability to enhance the flow of fluids withinthe chamfer 904 and across the endface 902, and is therefore not limitedto the illustrated form shown in FIGS. 8-12.

While the baffle previously described is effective at reducing thevolume of solvent retained by the chamfer 904, an alternate treatment ofthe problem of re- contamination of the fiber endface 902 by flow of thesolvent back onto the cleaned surface is to increase the surface tensionof the retained fluid. The surface tension may be increased by adding achemical agent, such as water, during a second fluid application stage,which would tend to minimize the tendency of the retained fluid to wickacross the cleaned surface recontaminating the surface. As should beapparent to one skilled in the art, the chemical agent may be deliveredupon the endface by any suitable means. For example, the chemical agentmay be applied in the same manner as the solvent by simply toggling thesolvent delivery tubing between fluid communication with a solventsource and fluid communication with a chemical agent source, as shouldbe apparent to one skilled in the art. Alternately, a third nozzle maybe disposed in the housing for discharging the chemical agent directlyupon the endface, or for dispensing the chemical agent into thepressurized fluid flow for delivery upon the endface.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, an alternate embodiment of afiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 1100 formed in accordance withthe present invention will now be described. The fiber-optic endfacecleaning apparatus 1100 is capable of interfacing with an interfacedevice 1103 to clean an endface 1104 of an optical fiber 1106 at leastpartially disposed therewithin. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 1100 of this embodiment is similar in operation and structureto the embodiments described above, and most specifically the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, the endface cleaning apparatus 1100of FIGS. 13 and 14 differs most notably from the above describedembodiments in that the endface cleaning apparatus 1100 engages theendface 1104 during cleaning operations. More specifically, a nozzle1110 of the endface cleaning apparatus 1100 has a plurality of fingersor extensions 1112 extending outward from the nozzle 1110 to engage andthereby maintain a selected separation distance between the endface 1104and the nozzle 1110 during cleaning operations. The method of combiningfluid and solvent also differs, i.e. the solvent is injected underpressure into the fluid stream rather than being “drawn” into the streamby a venturi effect.

The endface cleaning apparatus 1100 includes a housing 1114, a fluiddispensing assembly 1116, and an evacuation assembly 1118. The housing1114 is made of any rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic,metal, etc. The housing 1114 provides an enclosure to partially houseportions of the fluid dispensing and evacuation assemblies 1116 and1118. The housing 1114 is preferably configured to be easily gripped bya hand of a user.

The housing 1114 also includes a front section 1115. The front section1115 includes the components of the endface cleaning apparatus 1100extending outward toward the endface from a joint indicated by referencenumeral 1119. Preferably, the front section 1115 of the housing may beselectively removed from the housing 1114, for example by unthreadingthe front section 1115 from the remaining portion of the housing at thethreaded joint 1119. Once removed, the front section 1115 may bereplaced with an alternately shaped front section, such as the onedepicted and described in relation to FIG. 20, thereby allowing theendface cleaning apparatus 1100 to interface with a fiber-optic endfaceassociated with a differently shaped interface device. Thus, thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 1100 may be selectivelyconfigured to be compatible with nearly any interface device.

The fluid dispensing assembly 1116 includes a solvent delivery system1120 and a pressurized fluid delivery system 1122 similar inconstruction and operation to the cleaning solvent delivery system 106and the pressurized fluid delivery system 108 depicted and described inrelation to FIGS. 1 and 2. The solvent delivery system 1120 includes asolvent pipe 1121 for conveying a solvent therein. The pressurized fluiddelivery system 1122 also includes a pipe 1123, the pipe 1123 suitablefor conveying a pressurized fluid therein. The solvent pipe 1121discharges into pipe 1123 through port 1125. Thus, downstream of port1125, the pipe of the pressurized fluid delivery system 1122 conveys afluid and solvent mixture, preferably wherein the solvent is atomizedand mixed among a gaseous pressurized fluid.

The remaining aspects of the solvent and pressurized fluid deliverysystems 1120 and 1122 are similar to aspects of previously describedcleaning solvent delivery systems and pressurized fluid deliverysystems. Therefore, for the sake of brevity, this description will notrepeat herein aspects of the endface cleaning apparatus 1100 which aresubstantially similar to solvent and fluid delivery systems describedabove, such as the solvent and fluid delivery systems 106 and 108 of theendface cleaning apparatus 100 described and depicted in relation toFIG. 1.

The fluid dispensing assembly 1116 includes an interface portion 1124.In the illustrated embodiment, the interface portion 1124 is sized andconfigured to be cooperatively received within the interface device 1103to align the interface device 1124 within the interface device 1103.More specifically, the interface portion 1124 is sized and configured tobe received by the interface device 1103 such that the cleaning fluidsand solvents discharged from the fluid dispensing assembly 1116 aredirected at the endface 1104 when the interface portion 1124 is receivedby the interface device 1103.

In the case of the illustrated embodiment, the interface portion 1124 issized and configured to have outer dimensions that correspond to theinner dimension of an alignment sleeve 1108 of the interface device1103. Thereby, when the interface portion 1124 is cooperatively receivedby the alignment sleeve 1108, the components of the fluid dispensingassembly 1116 are positioned so that any fluid discharged therefrom willimpinge the fiber-optic endface 1104.

More specifically, the interface portion 1124 may include a plurality ofguiding members, such as three longitudinally aligned guiding ribs 1125equally spaced around the outer circumference of the interface portion1124. The guiding ribs 1125 aid in the alignment of the interfaceportion 1124 within the alignment sleeve 1108, while still allowing theflow of fluids outward between adjacent guiding ribs 1125 for removalescape from the interface device 1103.

The interface portion 1124 of the fluid dispensing assembly 1116includes a nozzle tip 1110, wherein at least a majority of thepressurized fluid and solvent are released from the fluid dispensingassembly 1116. The interface portion 1124 also includes one or morefingers or extensions 1112 (three shown) which extend outward andparallel with the longitudinal axis of the interface portion 1124. Thedistal ends of the extensions 1112 are adapted to engage the endface1104 of the optical fiber 1106. The extensions have a selected length1126, wherein when the extensions 1112 engage the endface 1104, thenozzle tip 1110 is separated from the endface by the selected length1126. Preferably, the selected length is between about 0.015 and about0.25 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment, the endface 1104 is biased toward thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 1100 such that when theextensions 1112 engage the endface 1104, the endface 1104 may bedisplaced in the direction opposite of the endface cleaning apparatus1100 (i.e., to the right with reference to FIG. 13). Thus, with theendface biased as described, the separation distance between the endface1104 and the nozzle tip 1110 is maintained, despite some variabilitybetween the separation distance of the interface device 1103 and theendface cleaning apparatus 1100. The user maintains a selectedengagement force between the interface portion 1124 of the fluiddispensing assembly 1116 and the fiber-optic endface 1104.

Referring now to FIG. 15, an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 1200 formed in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 1200 is capable of interfacing with an interface device, suchas the interface device 1103 depicted in FIG. 13, to clean an endface ofan optical fiber contained therewithin. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 1200 of this embodiment is similar in operation and structureto the embodiments described above, and most specifically to theembodiment depicted in FIGS. 13 and 14, with a few exceptions. Forinstance, the endface cleaning apparatus 1200 is adapted to couple to afirst container 1202 containing a pressurized fluid and a secondcontainer 1204 containing a solvent. Further, the cleaning assemblycontains a control system 1206 for controlling the dispensing of thefluid and solvent upon the endface.

The endface cleaning apparatus 1200 includes a housing 1208. The housingincludes a first passageway 1212 coupling the contents of thepressurized fluid container 1202 in fluid communication with a mixingchamber 1216. The housing 1208 also includes a second passageway 1220coupling the contents of the solvent container 1204 in fluidcommunication with the mixing chamber 1216. The housing further includesa control system bore 1218, which houses the majority of the componentsof the control system 1206.

The housing 1208 also includes a first attachment device 1210, the firstattachment device 1210 adapted to permit the removable coupling of thepressurized fluid container 1202 by any well known means, such as by athreaded connection, press fitting, etc. The housing 1208 also includesa second attachment device 1222 adapted to permit the removable couplingof the solvent container 1204 by any well known means, such as by athreaded connection, press fitting, etc.

The control system 1206 selectively controls the duration, sequence,timing and quantities of pressurized fluid and solvent directed upon anendface of an optical fiber. The control system 1206 selectivelycontrols the delivery of the pressurized fluid and solvent byselectively blocking and unblocking the first and second passageways1212 and 1220.

The control system 1206 includes a pressurized fluid dispensingmechanism 1224, and a solvent metering mechanism 1226. The fluiddispensing mechanism 1224 includes a piston 1228 concentrically coupledto a first end of a center shaft 1230. An actuation mechanism 1232,which in the illustrated embodiment is a button, is coupled to a secondend of the center shaft 1230. The solvent metering mechanism 1226includes a cylindrical passage 1234 along the centerline of acylindrically shaped main body 1236, the cylindrical passageway 1234sized and configured to reciprocatingly receive the center shaft 1230 ofthe fluid dispensing mechanism 1224. Thus, the solvent meteringmechanism 1226 is free to slide longitudinally along the length of thecenter shaft 1230. The solvent metering mechanism 1226 further includesa piston 1238 disposed on one end of the main body 1236 of the solventmetering mechanism 1226.

A first biasing device 1240, one suitable example being a spring, biasesthe fluid dispensing mechanism 1224 in a direction opposite of thatdepicted by the arrow indicated by reference numeral 1234 to the at restposition indicated in FIG. 15. A second biasing device 1242, onesuitable example being a spring, biases the solvent metering mechanism1226 in the direction opposite of that depicted by the arrow indicatedby reference numeral 1234 to the at rest position indicated in FIG. 15.

The control system bore 1218 may be subdivided for purposes of thisdiscussion into two sections. The first section 1244 is of a reduceddiameter chosen to match closely the outer diameter of the piston 1228of the fluid dispensing mechanism 1224 and the main body 1236 of thesolvent metering mechanism 1226. The second section 1246 is of anincreased diameter chosen to match closely the outer diameter of thepiston 1238 of the solvent metering mechanism 1226. The differences indiameter between the first and second sections 1244 and 1246 causes astep 1256 to be formed at the interface between the first and secondsections 1244 and 1246.

Focusing on the second passageway 1220, the second passageway includes afirst check valve 1248 and a second check valve 1250. Both check valves1248 and 1250 comprise balls 1252 biased in a closed position against avalve seat by a biasing device, such as a spring, to normally impedesolvent from traveling from the solvent container 1204 to the secondsection 1246 and from the second section 1246 to the mixing chamber1216. Further, the check valves 1248 and 1250 impede flow of the solventfrom the mixing chamber 1216 to the second section 1246, and from thesecond section 1246 to the solvent container 1204.

In light of the above description of the components of the fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 1200, the operation of the endface cleaningapparatus will now be described. To begin operation, the actuationmechanism 1232 is depressed by a user in the direction of the arrowindicated by reference numeral 1234. Pressing the actuation button inthe direction of arrow 1234 causes a corresponding motion of attachedpiston 1228 such that the first passageway 1212 is no longer obstructedby the piston 1228. Thus, pressurized fluid flows from the pressurizedfluid container 1202, through the first passageway 1212, into the mixingchamber 1216, and is discharged upon the endface.

As the actuation mechanism 1232 is pressed further in the direction ofarrow 1234, the actuation button 1232 contacts the piston 1238 of thesolvent metering mechanism 1226, initiating movement of the solventmetering mechanism 1226 in the direction of arrow 1234. This causes apressure increase in the solvent contained in a solvent metering cavity1260 of the second section 1246. The solvent metering cavity 1260 isdefined for the illustrated embodiment as the portion of the secondsection 1246 bounded by the step 1256 at one end, the piston 1238 at anopposing end, the inner wall of the second section 1246 of the controlsystem bore 1218, and the outer surface of the main body 1236 of thesolvent metering mechanism 1226. The pressure increase in the solventmetering cavity 1260 causes the ball 1252 of the first check valve 1248to lift off of its seat, allowing solvent to enter into the mixingchamber 1216. As the motion of the actuation mechanism 1232 stops, thepressure increase in the solvent metering cavity 1260 ceases, and thebiasing device returns the ball 1252 of the first check valve 1248 toits seat, impeding the further flow of solvent into the mixing chamber1216. However, the flow of pressurized fluid continues as the firstpassageway 1212 remains unobstructed.

The amount of solvent delivered into the mixing chamber 1216 issubstantially equal to a volume of a solvent metering cavity 1260.Preferably, the predetermined volume of the solvent metering cavity 1260is equal to between about 0.01 ml and about 0.05 ml, with a preferredvolume of 0.025 ml.

When the actuation mechanism 1232 is partially released by the user, themovement of piston 1238 in the direction opposite arrow 1234 causes avacuum to be created in the solvent metering cavity 1260. This vacuumlifts the ball 1252 of the second check valve 1250 and draws solventinto the solvent metering cavity 1260, preparing the endface cleaningapparatus 1200 for another cleaning cycle. As the actuation mechanism1232 is completely released by the user, the piston 1228 of the fluiddispensing mechanism 1224 obstructs the first passageway 1212, cuttingoff the flow of pressurized fluid into the mixing chamber.

Focusing now on the timing of the flow of pressurized fluid and thesolvent during operation, when a user initially depresses the actuationmechanism 1232, only the fluid dispensing mechanism 1224 is moved,partially un-obstructing the first passageway 1212. This permitspressurized fluid only to be directed upon the endface. As the actuationmechanism 1232 is pressed further in the direction of arrow 1234, thebase of the actuation mechanism 1232 contacts the solvent meteringmechanism 1226. This causes an increase in the pressure of the solventcontained within the solvent metering cavity 1260. This increase inpressure causes the first check valve 1248 to be actuated and aselective quantity of solvent to be released into the mixing chamber1216. The pressurized fluid and solvent mix in the mixing chamber asthey are conveyed along the mixing chamber and discharged out a nozzle1254 of the endface cleaning apparatus 1200.

As the selected quantity of solvent is removed from the second section1246 of the control system bore 1218 and dispensed upon the endface, theflow of pressurized fluid continues, continuing to displace and/orevaporate the solvent and contaminates from the endface. The flow of thepressurized fluid continues until the actuation mechanism 1232 is fullyreleased.

The above process may be repeated until the endface is cleaned to withinselected parameters. As should be apparent to those skilled in the art,during a cleaning operation, a blast of pressurized fluid only may beused to attempt to clean the endface. If this is unsuccessful inyielding satisfactory results, the endface cleaning apparatus 1200 maybe used to deliver both the pressurized fluid and the solvent. Althoughan evacuation system is not depicted with the illustrated embodiment, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the endface cleaningapparatus 1200 may be modified to so include.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-18, an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 1300 formed in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 1300 includes a fluid dispensing assembly 1302 which issubstantially similar in operation and construction to the fluiddispensing assembly of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 13, and thereforewill not be described in detail herein for the sake of brevity. Thefiber-optic endface cleaning apparatus 1300 of this embodiment variesmostly from that depicted in FIG. 13 in that the endface cleaningapparatus 1300 includes a contact cleaning assembly 1304. The contactcleaning assembly 1304 is adapted to engage and clean a fiber-opticendface 1306 through physical contact.

More specifically, the contact cleaning assembly 1304 includes aninterface portion 1308, the interface portion 1308 adapted to bereceived within an interface device 1310, such as the interface device1103 depicted in FIG. 13. Preferably, the interface portion 1308 issized and configured to be received within an alignment sleeve 1312 ofthe interface device 1310.

The contact cleaning assembly 1304 includes an engagement member 1314coupled to the interface portion 1308, the engagement member 1314adapted to engage the endface 1306 and remove contaminates on theendface 1306, such as embedded or pressed on contaminates, throughphysical contact. For the purposes of this detailed description,physical contact is defined as contact between a solid material and acontaminate on the endface. Therefore, the definition of physicalcontact as defined herein does not include the contact between a liquidor gas alone and a contaminate on the endface.

The contact cleaning assembly 1304 includes a driver 1318. The driver1318 is coupled to the interface portion 1308 or alternately, theengagement member itself, and is operable to move the engagement member1314 upon the endface 1306 to dislodge and/or remove any contaminatespresent on the endface 1306. The driver 1318 may be any suitablemechanism for moving the engagement member, such as a motor or asolenoid. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver 1318 is a motoroperable to rotate (spin) the engagement member 1314 about an axissubstantially collinear with the center axis of the optical fiber 1320.

Although in the illustrated embodiment the engagement member 1314 isdescribed as being moved relative to the endface in a rotating manner,it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that alternate modesof movement are suitable for use with the illustrated embodiment and arewithin the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, thedriver 1318 may move the engagement member 1314 along the endface in alinear, side to side motion, orbital motion, random motion, or may spinthe engagement member 1314 in an axis other than the axis of the opticalfiber 1320, such as one perpendicular to the axis of the optical fiber1320. Further, a driver 1318 is depicted for moving the engagementmember, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that theengagement member 1314 may be manually moved by the operator.

In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement member 1314 is comprisedof a plurality of brush bristles 1316 formed from a material that ispreferably softer than the material of the endface 1306, such asplastic, to impede scratching of the endface 1306. Although theengagement member 1314 is illustrated and described as being comprisedof a plurality of bristles 1316, it should be apparent to those skilledin the art that the engagement member 1314 may be formed from othermaterials, preferably solid materials operable to contact the endfacewithout causing significant damage to the endface, such as fibrousmaterials, fabrics, foams, etc.

The interface portion 1308 of the contact cleaning assembly 1304 may beremovably attached to the endface cleaning apparatus 1300. Thus, theinterface portion 1308 may be removed and interchanged with analternately shaped interface portion (not shown) adapted to be receivedwithin an alternately shaped interface device (not shown). Likewise, theengagement member 1314 may be removably attached to the endface cleaningapparatus 1300. Thus, the engagement member 1314 may be removed andinterchanged with an alternately shaped engagement member (not shown)adapted to be received within an alternately shaped interface device(not shown).

In light of the above description of the components of the endfacecleaning apparatus 1300, the operation of the endface cleaning apparatus1300 will not be described. In a preferred mode of operation, the fluiddispensing assembly 1302 is interfaced with an interface device andoperated as described for the endface cleaning apparatus 1100 depictedand described in relation to FIG. 13. If the application of the fluidand solvent was incapable of removing all contaminates from the endface,then the endface cleaning apparatus 1300 may be rotated 180 degrees andthe contact cleaning assembly 1304 interfaced with the interface device.More specifically, the user inserts the interface portion 1308 of thecontact cleaning assembly 1304 within the interface device such that theengagement member 1314 engages the endface. The engagement member 1314is moved across the endface by the spinning motion imparted by thedriver 1318, such that the bristles 1316 of the engagement member 1314engage and dislodge any contaminates present on the endface. The contactcleaning assembly 1304 may then be removed from the interface device.The fluid dispensing assembly 1302 is then re-interfaced with theinterface device, and the endface cleaned by application of the fluidand solvent, removing any contaminates dislodge through the contactcleaning assembly 1304. This process is continued until the endface iscleaned to within specifications.

Referring now to FIG. 19, an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 1400 formed in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. The fiber-optic endface cleaningapparatus 1400 includes a fluid dispensing assembly 1402, an evacuationassembly 1404, a contact cleaning assembly 1406, and a endface viewingdevice, such as a microscope 1408. Inasmuch as the fluid dispensingassembly 1402 is substantially similar to the fluid dispensing assemblydepicted and described in relation to FIG. 13, the contact cleaningassembly 1406 is substantially similar to the contact cleaning assemblydepicted and described in relation to FIGS. 16-18; and the microscope1406 is substantially similar to the microscope depicted and describedin relation to FIGS. 3-4, this detailed description will focus only onthe differences between the components of this embodiment not previouslydescribed in the above described embodiments.

The microscope 1408 of the endface cleaning apparatus 1400 is designedand configured to view a fiber-optic endface 1412 to aid a user indetermining the optical clarity of the endface 1412, i.e. to determineif the endface 1412 is damaged or to determine whether or notcontaminates are present on the endface 1412 which may degrade theperformance of the optical fiber 1416. A pathway is maintained free ofobstructions between the microscope 1408 and the endface 1412 such thatan optical imaging axis 1418 of the microscope 1408 may reachunobstructed the endface 1412 of an interface device 1414. Since theoptical features of the microscope 1408 and the general knowledge of theoptical nature of the microscope 1408 are well known, these aspects ofthe microscope 1408 will not be further discussed herein.

The fluid dispensing assembly 1402 includes a fluid passageway 1410 forcontaining and directing a mixture of a pressurized fluid and a solventupon the endface 1412 of the interface device 1414, such as the opticalfiber connector depicted. The fluid passageway 1410 terminates in anozzle tip 1420. The fluid passageway 1410 and nozzle tip 1420 arepositioned to be disposed out of the way of the optical imaging axis1418 so as not to impede and or obstruct the viewing of the endface 1412by the microscope 1408.

The evacuation system 1404 includes a vacuum passageway 1422 forcontaining and directing a vacuum upon the endface 1412. The vacuumpassageway 1422 terminates in a nozzle tip 1424. The vacuum passageway1422 and nozzle tip 1424 are positioned to be disposed out of the way ofthe optical imaging axis 1418 so as not to impede and or obstruct theviewing of the endface 1412 by the microscope 1408.

In the illustrated embodiment, the contact cleaning assembly 1406includes an actuation member 1428. The actuation member 1428 is formedfrom an elongate arm, wherein an engagement member 1426 is disposed upona distal end of the elongate arm. The actuation member 1428 isconfigurable between a first position, wherein the actuation member 1428is shown in solid lines, and in a second position, wherein the actuationmember 1428 is shown in phantom.

In the first position, the actuation member 1428 is disposed such thatthe contact cleaning assembly 1406 is displaced away from the opticalimage axis 1418 of the microscope 1408. Therefore, when the actuationmember 1428 is in the first position, the contact cleaning assembly 1406is disposed out of the way of the optical imaging axis 1418 so as not toimpede and or obstruct the viewing of the endface 1412 by the microscope1408.

In the second position, the actuation member 1428 is disposed such thatthe engagement member 1426 of the contact cleaning assembly 1406 is inengagement with the endface 1412 such that the engagement member 1426may physically contact the endface 1412 to aid in removing contaminatestherefrom. The actuation member 1428 may be actuated between the firstand second positions by any well known means in the art, such as by anelectrical, air, mechanical, hydraulic or other type of actuator, or bymanual manipulation by the user.

The contact cleaning assembly 1406 includes the engagement member 1426,the engagement member adapted to engage and remove contaminates from theendface 1412 through physical contact. The engagement member 1426 may beany material operable to contact the endface without causing significantdamage to the endface 1412. As described for the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 16-18, the contact cleaning assembly 1406 may include a driver(not shown) operable to move the engagement member 1426 upon the endface1412 to dislodge and/or remove any contaminates present on the endface1412. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver is operable to move theengagement member across the endface of the optical fiber.

Although in the illustrated embodiment, the engagement member 1426 isdescribed as being moved across the endface, it should be apparent tothose skilled in the art that alternate modes of movement are suitablefor use with the illustrated embodiment and are within the spirit andscope of the present invention. For instance, the driver may move theengagement member 1426 along the endface in a side to side motion,linear motion, rotating motion, orbital motion, random motion, or mayspin the engagement member 1426 in an axis other than one parallel withthe optical fiber 1320, such as one perpendicular to the axis of theoptical fiber 1320. Alternately, the engagement member 1426 may bemanually manipulated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement member 1426 is comprisedof a plurality of brush bristles formed from a material that ispreferably softer than the material of the endface 1412, such asplastic. Although the engagement member 1426 is illustrated anddescribed as being comprised of a plurality of bristles, it should beapparent that the engagement member 1426 may be formed from othermaterials, and preferably non-abrasive materials, such as fibrousmaterials, fabrics, foams, solid materials, etc.

In operation, a preferred manner of use is to steadily increase theaggressiveness of the cleaning operations until the endface is clean.For instance, a user may first examine the endface to determine if theendface requires cleaning. If the endface does require cleaning, avacuum may be applied to try to remove any contaminates from theendface. If this is not successful, a blast of pressurized fluid onlymay be applied in a further attempt to clean the endface. If this is notsuccessful, a blast of fluid with solvent mixed therein may be appliedto clean the endface. If this is not successful, the engagement membermay be actuated to engage and clean the endface, accompanied by fluidand/or solvent or without accompanying fluid and/or solvent. Conductingcleaning operations in this manner ensures that the least intrusivecleaning regime is used to clean the endface. Although a preferredmanner of use is described and illustrated, it should be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the manner of cleaning the endface maydeviate from the preferred manner of cleaning described above withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Forinstance, a user may not follow a stepped approach, and apply the fluid,solvent, vacuum, and engagement member simultaneously as an initial stepin the cleaning process.

Referring now to FIG. 20, an alternate embodiment of a fiber-opticendface cleaning apparatus 1500 formed in accordance with the presentinvention will now be described. Inasmuch as the endface cleaningapparatus 1500 is substantially similar to the endface cleaningapparatus depicted and described in relation to FIGS. 13 and 14, thisdetailed description will only focus on the differences between thecomponents of this embodiment not previously described above. Generally,these differences include the inclusion of multiple nozzle tips 1502 and1504 for engaging and/or cleaning two fiber-optic endfaces (not shown)simultaneously or in succession without removing the endface cleaningapparatus 1500 from the interface device (not shown). Further, thenozzle tips 1502 and 1504 are biased toward the endfaces by a biasingdevice 1506, which in the illustrated embodiment, is a spring.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 20, the endface cleaning apparatus 1500 of FIG.20 is adapted to interface with an interface device having a pluralityof endfaces disposed therein, such as the interface device shown in FIG.1, the interface device including a fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200 anda pair of fiber-optic connectors 214 and 216. More specifically, a fluiddispensing assembly 1508 of the endface cleaning apparatus 1500 isadapted to simultaneously engage and dispense a pressurized fluid andsolvent upon each of the endfaces disposed within the interface device.To accomplish this, the endface cleaning apparatus includes a branchedinterface portion 1510, such that the interface portion 1510 includes afirst interface portion 1510A and a second interface portion 1510B. Thefirst interface portion 1510A is configured to be received by the firstfemale input 204 of the fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200 and the secondinterface portion 1510B is configured to be received by the secondfemale input 206 of the fiber-optic bulkhead adapter 200. Thus, duringoperation, the endfaces contained within the each of the female inputs204 and 206 may be simultaneously cleaned.

Although the fluid dispensing assembly 1508 of the endface cleaningapparatus of FIG. 20 is depicted and described as having two nozzle tips1502 and 1504, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art thatthe endface cleaning apparatus 1500 may alternately have any number ofnozzle tips, including 1 and all numbers greater. Further, although theendface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 20 is depicted and described assimultaneously cleaning both endfaces, it should be apparent that theendface cleaning apparatus may be suitably adapted to clean the endfacesin succession to one another, rather than simultaneously, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interface portion 1510 is biasedoutward, toward a fiber-optic endface such that when extensions 1512 ofthe nozzle tips 1502 and 1504 engage the endfaces, the interface portion1510 may be displaced in the direction of the endface cleaning apparatus1500, i.e. away from the endfaces. Thus, with this configuration, theseparation distance between the endfaces and the nozzle tips 1520 ismaintained, despite movement between the interface device and theendface cleaning apparatus 1500. Further, a selected engagement forcebetween the interface portion 1510 of the fluid dispensing assembly 1508and the fiber-optic endfaces is maintained during engagement of theextensions 1512 with the endfaces. This, among other things, aids inimpeding damage to the endfaces through the extensions 1512 exertingexcessive force upon the endfaces. In the illustrated embodiment, theinterface portion 1510 is biased toward the endfaces by a spring 1506,the spring extending between a portion of a housing 1514 of the endfacecleaning apparatus 1500 and a base 1516 of the interface portion 1510.However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art thatalternate biasing means are suitable for use with and within the spiritand scope of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 21, an alternate embodiment of a front section1600 formed in accordance with the present invention will now bedescribed. The front section 1600 is suitable to removably attach to thethreaded joint 1119 of the endface cleaning apparatus 1100 depicted anddescribed in relation to FIG. 13. The front section 1600 is adapted toclean a plurality of fiber-optic endfaces associated with a plurality ofoptical fibers 1636. The optical fibers 1636 are partially containedwithin a ribbon connector 1608 associated with an interface device 1604,the interface device also including a bulkhead adapter 1606. Inasmuch asthe front section 1600 is substantially similar in operation andstructure to the front section 1115 of the endface cleaning apparatus1100 depicted and described in relation to FIGS. 13 and 14, thisdetailed description will only focus on the differences between thecomponents of this embodiment not previously described in the abovedescribed embodiments.

Generally, these differences include the modification of an interfaceportion 1610 of a fluid dispensing assembly for or cleaning fiber-opticendfaces (not shown) associated with the ribbon connector 1608 disposedwithin the interface device 1604. More specifically, the well knownribbon connector 1608 includes a “flat” or rectangular ferrule 1614having a plurality of fiber-optic endfaces disposed therein. Theinterface portion 1610 of the fluid dispensing assembly includes acooperatively shaped tip portion 1616 adapted to terminate in proximityto the distal end 1618 of the ferrule 1614. More specifically, the tipportion 1616 terminates in a nozzle 1622 disposed about 20 thousands ofan inch from the distal end 1618 of the ferrule 1614, creating a gap1626 between the distal end 1618 of the ferrule 1614 and the tip portion1616. The approximately 20 thousands of an inch separation distanceformed by the gap 1626 is maintained by two posts 1630 which engage theconnector 1608.

The ribbon connector 1608 may include two alignment pins 1632 whichextend outward from the connector 1608. The interface portion 1610 mayinclude two pin receiving portions 1634 adapted to receive the alignmentpins 1632. The interface portion 1610 may further include a vacuumpassageway 1624 disposed around the tip portion 1616. The vacuumpassageway 1624 is coupled to a well known vacuum source (not shown)such that at least a portion of the pressurized fluid and solventdispensed by the fluid dispensing assembly 1612 from the nozzle 1622passes through the gap 1626 and enter the vacuum passageway 1624 byflowing past the two posts 1630. The flow path of the pressurized fluidand solvent is indicated by the arrow designated by reference numeral1628.

While certain aspects of the invention are depicted and associated withspecific embodiments illustrated and described above, it should beapparent to those skilled in the art that aspects of one illustratedembodiment may be applied and suitable for use with other embodiments.For instance, any of the above embodiments may be adapted to include amicroscope, a contact cleaning assembly, an evacuation system,interchangeable interface portions, biased interface portions, multipleinterface portions, use various solvents and pressurized fluids, haveremovable pressurized fluid and/or solvent containers, etc. Likewise,although the embodiments depicted and described above are shown ashaving certain aspects, it should be apparent that they may be operatedsuitably without certain described aspects, such as without amicroscope, a contact cleaning assembly, an evacuation system,interchangeable interface portions, biased interface portions, multipleinterface portions, removable pressurized fluid and/or solventcontainers, etc.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be appreciated that various changes can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A cleaning apparatus for cleaning an endface of an optical fibercomprising: (a) a housing; (b) a first attachment device coupled to thehousing, the first attachment device adapted to permit the selectivecoupling of a container of fluid to the housing; (c) a second attachmentdevice coupled to the housing, the second attachment device adapted topermit the selective coupling of a container of solvent to the housing;and (d) a fluid dispensing assembly at least partially disposed withinthe housing and in fluid communication with each of the containers, thefluid dispensing assembly operable to deliver the fluid and the solventfrom each of the containers upon the endface to aid in the removal ofcontaminants on the endface.
 2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1further comprising a control system coupled to the housing, the controlsystem configurable into a first position, wherein the fluid ispermitted to be dispensed from the fluid dispensing assembly upon theendface and the solvent is impeded from being dispensed from the fluiddispensing assembly upon the endface.
 3. The cleaning apparatus of claim1 wherein the housing further comprises a solvent metering cavity of apredetermined volume, and an actuator mechanism coupled to the housing,any solvent contained in the solvent metering cavity being dispensedupon the endface when the actuator mechanism is activated.
 4. Thecleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined volume of thesolvent metering cavity is about 0.01 ml to about 0.05 ml.
 5. Thecleaning apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fluid dispensing assemblyfurther comprises a nozzle tip, the fluid and the solvent beingdispensed from the fluid dispensing assembly through the nozzle tip. 6.The cleaning apparatus of claim 5 further comprising at least oneextension extending outward from the nozzle tip, the distal end of theextension adapted to engage the endface to maintain the nozzle tip atleast a selected distance away from the endface.
 7. The cleaningapparatus of claim 6, wherein the selected distance is about 0.015 toabout 0.25 inches.
 8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast a portion of the fluid dispensing assembly is adapted to beinserted within an alignment sleeve.
 9. The cleaning apparatus of claim1 further comprising a microscope coupled to the housing, the microscopebeing adaptable to view the endface.
 10. The cleaning apparatus of claim1 further comprising a biasing device, the biasing device interactingwith the fluid dispensing assembly to bias at least a portion of thefluid dispensing assembly toward the endface.
 11. A cleaning apparatusfor cleaning a first endface of a first optical fiber and a secondendface of a second optical fiber, wherein a portion of each of thefirst and second optical fibers are contained within an interfacedevice, the cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) a housing; and (b) afluid dispensing assembly at least partially disposed within thehousing, wherein the fluid dispensing assembly includes a firstinterface portion and a second interface portion, the first and secondinterface portions adapted to be received by the interface device, thefluid dispensing assembly being operable to deliver a fluid and asolvent via the first and second interface portions upon the first andsecond endfaces to aid in the removal of contaminants on the first andsecond endfaces.
 12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11, wherein each ofthe first and second interface portions are sized and configured to beat least partially received within an alignment sleeve.
 13. The cleaningapparatus of claim 11, wherein the first interface portion furthercomprises a nozzle tip, the fluid and the solvent being dispensed fromthe nozzle tip.
 14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein thenozzle tip further comprises at least one extension extending outwardfrom the nozzle tip, the distal end of the extension adapted to engagethe first endface when the first interface portion is received by theinterface device.
 15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 14, wherein thenozzle tip being separated from the first endface by a selected length,when the extension engages the first endface, the selected length beingbetween about 0.02 and about 0.20 inches.
 16. The cleaning apparatus ofclaim 11 further comprising a contact cleaning assembly coupled to thehousing, the contact cleaning assembly having an engagement memberadapted to engage the first endface and remove contaminates on the firstendface through physical contact.
 17. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11further comprising a biasing device, the biasing device interacting withat least the first interface portion to bias the first interface portiontoward the first endface.
 18. The cleaning apparatus of claim 11 furthercomprising a microscope coupled to the housing, wherein the microscopeis adaptable to view at least the first endface of the first opticalfiber.
 19. A method for cleaning an endface of an optical fibercontained within an interface device, the method comprising the stepsof: (a) inserting an interface portion of a cleaning apparatus withinthe interface device so as to position a nozzle in proximity to theendface; (b) intermixing a solvent with the fluid; and (c) dislodgingcontaminates from the endface through contacting the endface with anengagement member.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising thestep of applying a vacuum in proximity to the endface.
 21. The method ofclaim 19 further comprising the step of inspecting the endface with amicroscope.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluid is pressurizedair.
 23. The method of claim 19, wherein the solvent is a mixturecomprising a hydrocarbon and a terpene.
 24. The method of claim 19wherein the solvent is a mixture comprising a fluorinated ether, achlorinated alkaline, and an alcohol.
 25. The method of claim 24,wherein the solvent is a mixture comprising Methyl nonafluorobutylether,ethylnonafluorobutylether, Trans-1,2-dichloreoethylene, and isopropanol.